At least 49 men from Northern Ireland perished on HMS Hawke on this day in 1914. It was one of the greatest single losses to Royal Navy personnel from NI. It occurred when the German Submarine SM-U9 which was patrolling the North Sea came across two British Cruisers, HMS Hawke commanded by Capt. Hugh P.E.T. Williams, and her sister ship HMS Theseus. The Northern Ireland men came from all walks of life and places. Lieut-Commander Ruric Waring was a member of the family which gave Waringstown its name. Joyce Power from Ballymena was a Leading Stoker. Able Seaman Charles Trainor from Derry was one of the few survivors from HMS Hawke. Sadly, however, he died later in the war on board HMS Crescent. Thomas Cross from Dungannon received injuries to both legs at the Battle of the Somme in July 1916 and was removed to a hospital in England. He recovered and returned to active service. He died on this day in 1918. His twin brother also served and survived the war. Verus Montgomery, a medical officer from Ballynure, was wounded at the Battle of the Somme, lay in the field for some days, and finally had the shrapnel removed from his head. He was wounded again in Palestine in 1917. He survived the war, practiced medicine, and lived to this day in 1959.
Remembrance NI - Every day is a Remembrance Day 